President John Dramani Mahama has condemned the recent killing of a Ghanaian soldier in Bawku, urging the military to prioritize intelligence over force in handling the ongoing conflict.
Speaking during his ‘Thank You Tour’ in the Upper East Region on Thursday, March 20, Mahama described the attack on the soldier as an unacceptable act against peacekeepers deployed to protect lives and property.
“The members of the Ghana Armed Forces in the conflict zone are peacekeepers who have been sent there to protect life, limb, and property. It is unacceptable for them to become targets of a conflict to which they are not a party,” he stated.
Mahama also criticized the military’s violent response, which reportedly led to injuries among civilians, cautioning against retaliatory actions that could escalate tensions.
“I understand the righteous anger at the loss of a colleague serviceman, but we must exercise restraint and use effective intelligence gathering to identify and bring the culprits to justice,” he urged.
Beyond the security concerns, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to the development of the Upper East Region, stressing that equitable progress was not a privilege but a necessity.
“The Upper East Region, like every other part of Ghana, deserves its fair share of development—not as a favour, but as my government’s actionable commitment to ensuring no Ghanaian is left behind,” he pledged.
His remarks come amid heightened concerns over the prolonged instability in Bawku, with calls for sustainable peace-building efforts in the region.